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‘Lion King’ in 3-D: Moviegoers can return to the jungle in September

On the heels of the announcement that the 1997 Oscar-winning blockbuster “Titanic” would be sailing into theaters next year in a 3-D edition, Walt Disney Studios announced that its 1994 Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning animated classic “The Lion King” would be returning to theaters Sept. 16 in a new Disney Digital 3-D edition. After the two-week theatrical engagement, Simba, Mufasa, Nala and the gang will make its 3-D and 2-D Blu-ray debut on Oct. 15.

“The Lion King” has been a major cash cow for Disney. Disney is reporting that the movie — which features Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning score and Elton John and Tim Rice’s Academy Award-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – is the bestselling home entertainment release of all time. Not only that, it also roared its way to a worldwide box-office tally of $783.9 million.

The film spawned two made-for-video-sequels, “The Lion King 1 1/2” and “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” (which will also be making their Blu-ray debuts). And the Broadway theatrical production opened on the Great White Way on Nov. 13, 1997, winning six Tony Awards including best musical. It’s still going strong, having played more than 5, 600 performances. Two years later, it opened in London, where it also is still drawing crowds.